The director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has praised colleges and universities for their COVID-19 preventions efforts.

Dr. Robert Redford says educational institutions "really stepped up" to help lessen the spread of COVID-19 on campuses.

Redfield says he had concerns prior to the semester that the highly contagious virus would easily spread throughout campus.

At Farmingdale State College, President Dr. John Nader says they’ve had very few students and staff who have tested positive during the semester.

“Campuses across the SUNY system and private colleges I know of on Long Island were adamant about masks, about physical distancing, being very deliberate of who needed to be on campus and did a very good job at containing this virus," says Nader.

Nader says students have been receptive to the steps that they’ve taken but have expressed the desire to return to in-person classes.

He says that they are already working to return more students back on campus next year.